U.S. stocks gain for fourth session led by powerful Nasdaq rally

U.S. stocks extended gains to finish higher for a fourth session Wednesday, led by a powerful Nasdaq rally, as investors shrugged off stronger-than-expected inflation data and instead opted to focus on solid earnings and the healthy economy. The consumer-price index jumped 0.5% in January, the biggest increase in five months. The Dow
DJIA, +0.08%
rose 255 points, or 1%, to 24,896. The S&P 500
SPX, +0.04%
gained 35 points, or 1.4 %, to 2,698 while the Nasdaq Composite Index
COMP, -0.23%
rallied 130 points, or 1.9%, to 7,143. The Russell 2000
RUT, +0.41%
an index for small caps, climbed 28, or 1.9%, to 1,523, its best daily percentage gain since late September.

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